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Premature birth

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I'm giving birth to a very poorly 29 weeker tomorrow, any advice?

556 replies

Alb1 · 01/04/2017 19:47

I won't go into too much detail as it can be a little quiet on here and I don't want to pour my heart out to no replies Blush

Il be exactly 29 weeks tomorrow, the baby is very poorly and it's been made clear her chances arnt great if they deliver her. But we also don't have any options to help her if we leave her in utero, so she's clearly going to get more sick and die anyway. The doctors arnt giving an opinion of what they think is best so it's all been left down to us, although they said if I was past 32 weeks they'd deliver. So we feel we need to deliver as surly even a tiny tiny chance is better than no chance. Our last baby was stillborn to the same condition (we were told these things don't happen twice, we had absolutely no idea, and nither did the doctors, that it could reoccur) but we didn't find out until hours before she died last time so we couldn't do anything, this time we've been trying for over 4 weeks and have exhausted all options other than delivery.

Don't no what advice I'm looking for, has anyone else had a baby against the odds and how did it go? I think with the doctors not being able to offer an opinion I want to feel like I'm not making a selfish or wrong decision somehow Confused

OP posts:
CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 20/04/2017 16:41

Fabulous :-)

suspectsalmon · 20/04/2017 17:53

Great to hear that your daughter is doing so well. Thanks for the update Smile

Starlight2345 · 20/04/2017 19:19

what a positive update... She seems to be a true fighter.

DeliaSmythe · 20/04/2017 19:34

So lovely to hear she's doing so well. Great news. Smile

JimWithTwoNoses · 20/04/2017 19:53

So pleased, she sounds like she's got a bit of a character already too, I'm so glad everything is going well for you. You made the right decision to deliver her Smile

HeyRoly · 20/04/2017 20:02

I've read the entire thread in one go and I'm delighted your darling girl is doing so well Grin

HeyRoly · 20/04/2017 20:02

I've read the entire thread in one go and I'm delighted your darling girl is doing so well Grin

gonegrey56 · 20/04/2017 20:05

Wonderful news, I am so so pleased for you. Thanks for the update. She sounds like a very special baby !

Frazzled2207 · 20/04/2017 20:16

Fab update.

speakfriendandenter · 20/04/2017 20:20

Have been reading the thread and just wanted to send love and positivity!
Sounds like your lovely girl is doing really well x

CoolCarrie · 20/04/2017 20:27

Brilliant news, well done baby Alb1 and family!
I am kangaroo mum at our local hospital and the joy that comes from seeing a baby thrive and gaining weight is priceless

Brenna24 · 21/04/2017 10:17

That is fantastic news Alb. Fingers crossed she goes from strength to strength.

NoLotteryWinYet · 21/04/2017 10:35

so glad to hear this

MadisonAvenue · 21/04/2017 10:42

That is fantastic news!!

ohfourfoxache · 21/04/2017 11:02

That is one fantastic update! Thanks

grainmum · 21/04/2017 11:12

Lovely news Alb xx

LuchiMangsho · 21/04/2017 11:22

Brilliant. Fingers crossed it stays like this.

sebashocked · 21/04/2017 11:39

What brilliant news. If you're happy to keep expressing and hoping to just breast feed when she is strong enough and heavy enough, it might be worth asking about fortifying your breast milk with a specific supplement (if I remember rightly it's called FM85). You just add a bit to what you've expressed but gives preemies a bit more help with weight gain. It was standard in our NICU and we got it on prescription when our preemie finally made it home and was able to transition fully from bottle to breast. Keep up the good work.

BasicBetty · 21/04/2017 12:00

Wonderful news!

Alb1 · 21/04/2017 12:14

Thank you everyone Smile having expressing wobbles today though, this hospital only has one room for expressing, and it's currently full of nurses having training! It's hardly ever free (mostly cos staff sit in there) and every time I have expressed in there nurses have tried to barge in for stuff.

When I say how stressful it is trying to keep up with expressing here they just respond that I can express at the cot side, I don't want to though, it's a private thing for me, they might see boobs all the time but mine are not for public viewing Confused not sure how long I can keep my supply up when I can rarely express here! Sorry for the moan all about me, I'm stuck waiting on the ward while DH is in with a visitor (very strict visiting rules here) and just need a rant Smile

In other news, the baby is now off the high flow and on the low flow stuff! Not bad going Smile

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 21/04/2017 12:22

Lovely to hear that the baby is doing well, @Alb1 - she is a real little hero.

Could you contact PALS and ask them to intervene re. the room for expressing and privacy issues?

viques · 21/04/2017 12:28

Wow, spotted this thread and am so glad I opened it as it is a wonderful story.

Best wishes to you all.

April1984 · 21/04/2017 15:05

Glad things are going well. Have you tried using a normal Brest feeding cover whilst expressing in the NICU. That's what I did and it gave me privacy. I also got the bra you can use a double pump with so hands free. Alternatively cut a hole in an old bra.

I expressed every 2-3 hours and so literally did it in the car (not driving) and by his bedside with abnormal cover. X

JimWithTwoNoses · 21/04/2017 15:16

Just an idea but I've seen sometimes they can put screens around a cot for privacy, can you ask if that's an option? Not sure if I'm describing them very well but kind of like the ones posh people used to get dressed behind in the olden days

marmiteloversunite · 21/04/2017 15:42

I'm not surprised you don't like expressing in full view. You're new to it and it is a weird feeling. At least when you are feeding the baby's head is obstructing the view a little.
I takes energy to fight for privacy though and I expect you are lacking that a little at the moment. Can you get someone else to speak up for you?

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